Los Angeles · Seed–Series A · 1 people tracked
Investment thesis
Starburst focuses on the Aerospace & Defense sector, which it views as a historical proving ground for scientific breakthroughs. It backs startups advancing space exploration, clean and hypersonic flight, aerial intelligence for climate action, and new deterrence capabilities intended to help America and its allies regain technological advantage. Positioned as an accelerator, Starburst bridges startups, industrial players, and allied governments, offering hands-on support, consulting missions to potential partners, and access to private pitches and events. The team comprises founders, domain experts, and connectors who work closely with portfolio companies as extended members of their core teams.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 1 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 5 of 5 portfolio companiesDefense Tech ×4AI & Machine Learning ×3Robotics ×3Hardware ×2Crypto & Web3 ×1Cybersecurity ×1Deep Tech ×1GovTech ×1
HQs:United States×2Germany×1
Portfolio companies · 5 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really likeCorenova Technologies builds Hive Defense, a security platform that combines self-learning swarm bots with blockchain to monitor and respond to real-time events across digital and physical infrastructure.
Crypto & Web3CybersecurityRoboticsSanta Monica, US
Picogrid provides software and edge computing networks to integrate heterogeneous sensors, drones, and autonomous systems for real-time command and control across defense and wildfire detection applications.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechGovTechIoTRoboticsEl Segundo, US
Zane Mountcastle(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Martin Slosarik(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardDavid Cowan(Director)in
Co-investorsBasecamp FundBessemer Venture PartnersAlumni VenturesCredo VenturesGiant Step CapitalInitialized Capital
WhiteFox Defense develops AI-driven solutions for defense innovation and aerospace applications.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechHardware
Co-investorsFrontier Venture CapitalMoore Venture PartnersSerra Ventures
SeRo Systems provides hardware and software for airspace surveillance and RF spectrum monitoring, including ADS-B/MLAT receivers and its SecureTrack platform for detecting GPS jamming and spoofing.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
Sightec builds software-first visual autonomy and navigation for drones, enabling GPS-free (GNSS-denied) flight and real-time situational awareness that can be added to existing platforms with minimal hardware changes.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechRobotics
Co-investorsPlayfair Capital
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesPicogrid · latimes.com · Jun 15, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Starburst Ventures invest at?
- Starburst Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Starburst Ventures focus on?
- Starburst Ventures focuses on Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Hardware, Mobility & Transportation, Space Tech.
- Where is Starburst Ventures located?
- Starburst Ventures is headquartered in Los Angeles.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
from their channelInnoVet – From the Battlefield to Startup
Starburst
IAI CATALYST Accelerator Program Informational Webinar
Starburst
SATE Accelerator Cohort 1 Demo Day
Starburst
Accelerating innovation in aeronautics - Panel Discussion during Eurosatory 2024 [FRENCH]
Starburst
Webinar: IAI CATALYST Cohort 2 'Ask Me Anything' #2
Starburst
IAI CATALYST "Ask Me Anything" Webinar
Starburst
Images
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